Regulation
MAS wants more market oriented disclosure regime
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced on Feb 16, 2001 that it will allow fund managers to hold shares in the Singapore Exchange (SGX) beyond the current 5% limit, but up to a cap of 10% and subject to the approval of MAS. MAS also proposed…
IMF publishes codes for transparency
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has established a section on its public website (http://www.imf.org/hrd/index.htm) dedicated to highlighting guidelines and issues related to staff ethics, financial disclosure and dispute resolution.
Financial innovation conference at the FRBNY
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is holding a conference on financial innovation and monetary transmission on April 5-6, 2001
New research from CEPR
Summaries of new discussion papers from the Centre for Economic Policy Research can be obtained on the CEPR website at www.cepr.org
Argentine central bank president under fire
The bicameral congressional committee that will recommend whether Argentine central bank head Pedro Pou should be removed from office for allegedly turning a blind eye to money laundering activities in Argentina will meet for the first time on Feb 20,…
Thai PM-no interference with cbank-Somkid fin min
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his finance minister-designate Somkid Jatusripitak assured investors late on Feb 16 that the incoming government won't intervene in commercial bank interest rates or central bank regulation of financial…
China markets watchdog chief warns manipulators
China's chief stock market regulator Zhou Xiaochuan issued a stern warning against price manipulation on Feb 15, 2001, saying stock prices should be based on the quality of listed firms and not "backroom deals". Zhou also pledged to crack down on firms…
MP Sichinga blames BoZ for Union Bank's collapse
East independent member of parliament Robert Sichinga on Feb 14, 2001 blamed Bank of Zambia' (BOZ) for the closure of Union Bank Zambia Limited, the Post of Zambia reported on Feb 15. Sichinga complained that the central bank had failed provide effective…
Graham Bishop on Lamfalussy Wise Men Final Report
The Federal Trust set up a Working Party of senior financial practitionersto look at the "Initial Report" of the Committee of Wise Men (colloquiallyknown as the Lamfalussy Report) on the Regulation of European SecuritiesMarkets. Graham Bishop, owner of…
Vietnam - New regulations on banks' rep offices
Commercial banks can open rep offices and branches at home and abroad, as well as set up, disband and merge branches, provided they meet certain conditions, the central bank has ruled.Decision 90/2001/QD-NHNN regarding this signed last week by deputy…
Political Economy of the Japan's Financial Markets
In this book, the authors Dick Beason and Jason James attempt to cut through the myths that surround the Japanese markets, and extrapolate a clear, realistic picture of their twenty year transition. The book is divided into four. The authors lay out the…
'Modernizing Financial Systems' - D. Papadimitriou
The modernization of the financial system is a buzz phrase at the moment, especially in America. In this wide-ranging collection of essays, Professor Papadimitriou has gathered together many of the most informed and most readable commentators on this…
Vietnam seeks US$500m IMF loan
Vietnam is seeking an emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund to help pay for a US$1.5 billion (S$2.6 billion) programme to restructure its debt-ridden banking sector. The country is negotiating a US$500 million loan package with the IMF,…
Asia response to revised Basel Accord
Asian countries have responded well to proposals for a new regulatory framework strengthening the global banking system and allowing banks more independence in assessing capital risk, according to New York Federal Reserve President William McDonough. …
Indonesia's IBRA chief optimistic on bank sales
The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said on Feb 12, 2001 it was optimistic it would sell stakes in Bank Central Asia (BCA) and Bank Niaga as planned despite concerns some MPs might delay the process. "Yes, in principle I am optimistic," IBRA…
Ecuador cbank sells bankrupt banks property assets
The Ecuadorian Central Bank BCE (Banco Central del Ecuador) has put for sale the headquarters and branches of bankrupt banks, and will use he cash to settle loans made to the BCE to solve liquidity problems. Initially it is offering the assets to…
Bank of Israel may seek data on high-tech credit
The Bank of Israel's Supervisor of Banks is considering asking commercial banks to report specifically on the extent of their loans to the high-tech sector, a spokesman said on Feb 12, 2001. Loans to the technology sector are currently included within…
China banks stay stable in Jan 2001 - PBOC report
Statistics released on Feb. 12, 2001 by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) show that in January 2001 China's financial sector continued its healthy and stable development momentum, with money supply, deposits and loans maintaining steady growth. At the…
Argentina seeks probe into money-laundering
The Argentine government, embroiled in a money-laundering scandal threatening the job of the Central Bank chief, requested on Feb 12, 2001 an investigation involving local and foreign banks and a Mexican drug cartel. Federal Judge Adolfo Bagnasco has…
Pakistan says Islamic banking won't hit accords
Military ruler General Pervez Musharraf said on Feb. 12, 2001 that Pakistan's plans to introduce interest-free Islamic banking would not affect the country's international financial dealings and accords.A government statement quoted him as giving the…
Oman allows banks to sell insurance policies
The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has allowed commercial banks operating in Oman to sell insurance policies in partnership with any insurance companies in the Sultanate. However, the Central Bank has stipulated that the policies must be sold by the…
UAE studies licensing new foreign banks-cen bank
The United Arab Emirates is considering allowing more foreign banks to operate in the country after a virtual freeze on new licences, the central bank governor said in remarks published on Feb 11, 2001. "The internal banking structure is strong and able…
UAE to assess money laundering
According to Al-Hayat newspaper [Feb. 11, 2001], the Governor of the Emirates Central Bank, Mr. Sultan Bin Nasser Al-Suweidy, said that an international monetary committee will visit the UAE during the period of February 19-21. This committee will assess…
Nigeria CBN prepares banks for universal banking
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has started processing the banking licences of banks with a view to granting them a general licence for universal banking. This was revealed to finance journalists in Lagos over the weekend [Feb. 10-11, 2001] by the…